NORTHEAST HARBOR – Friends of Acadia celebrated a quarter-century of philanthropy and conservation on Saturday night at the organization’s 25th Annual Benefit Auction. A full moon lit the skies above the big tent on the lawn at the Asticou Inn, where inside the event raised record funds for Friends of Acadia’s work to preserve, protect, and promote stewardship of the park.

The event’s great success was thanks to the efforts of many. Volunteer co-chairs Noelle Wolf, Nonie Sullivan, and Julia Merck Utsch collaborated to bring about an extra-special evening for the anniversary. Local caterers including August Moon, Bar Harbor Catering, Country Fare Catering, and the Islesford Dock donated their time, talents, and ingredients to serve up delicious appetizers in the silent auction tent. More than 130 generous artists, businesses, and individuals donated auction items and the 500 guests were spirited bidders in both silent and live auctions. The paddle raise culminating the live auction saw more than 40 bidders donate $130,000 to support initiatives to restore and protect Acadia’s iconic Cadillac Mountain summit through transportation projects, vegetation restoration, and visitor education.

Protecting Acadia National Park’s unique resources, scenic beauty, and recreational opportunities though the work of Friends of Acadia was the dominant theme of the night. Friends of Acadia president David MacDonald welcomed the assembled guests, saying, “I hope that all of you enjoyed the beautiful day in Acadia today, out on the trails, out on the carriage roads, out on the water. It is also my hope that while you were out there, you thought a little bit about how different this place would be without Acadia National Park. And maybe you thought a little bit about how your experience in Acadia National Park would be different if it weren’t for Friends of Acadia.” Ed Samek, the chairman of the Friends of Acadia Board, added “We are the beneficiaries of those who came before us and all they did to preserve and protect Acadia National Park. We should enjoy what we’ve received, but I think you feel as I do that it’s our turn to be the benefactors for the generations who come after us.”

The Benefit Auction continues online until August 19 with selected items available for bidding at www.charitybuzz.com/friendsofacadia. Listings of all auction item donors, sponsors, patrons, and volunteer committee members can be found on the Friends of Acadia website at www.friendsofacadia.org. For more information about the Friends of Acadia Annual Benefit Auction to be held Saturday, August 8, 2015, or to find out how to contribute to next year’s event, contact Friends of Acadia Director of Development Lisa Horsch Clark at 207-288-3340 or lisahorsch@friendsofacadia.org.